Exercise garment with targeted resistance

ABSTRACT

An exercise garment includes a vest, and a belt joined to the vest with spaced apart elastic straps. The vest has a right front portion, a left front portion, a back portion, and right and left shoulder portions. Non-stretch straps stitched to the right front portion converging to a first fastener and non-stretch straps stitched to the left front portion converge to a second fastener. The belt has an elongated body; a fastener that adjustably fastens the first end and the second end of the body in an overlapping configuration, non-stretch handle straps distributed along the body; and spaced apart elastic straps. The elastic straps each have a first end stitched to the belt and a fastener at the second end that mated to one of the non-stretch strap fasteners. The exercise garment solves back pain by strengthening a person’s core muscles.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/324,503, filed Mar. 28, 2022, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise equipment and, more particularly, to an exercise garment with targeted resistance.

In the U.S., a sedentary lifestyle has been called “the new smoking” for health problems. This type of lifestyle has led to some of the country’s most complicated and costly conditions. These conditions such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and even back pain stem mostly from the core and the back of the human body. According to a Georgetown University health policy report, 65 million Americans report a recent episode of back pain, and 16 million adults experience chronic back pain. A 2019 National Center for Health Statistics report found that Americans sit on average about 6.5 hours/day. This is an increase of an extra hour/day since 2007. This type of lifestyle has allowed for over 75% of Americans to disengage from physical activity and exercise per the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Currently one of the most popular additions to physical activity includes weighted or sweat inducing exercise vests. However, these vests impose a free weighted mechanism and do not provide targeted resistance for the core muscles by strengthening and toning. These particular weighted and sweat inducing vests are mostly beneficial at the gym, home gym, walking and running or on the floor, requiring the user to lie down, but lack the capability to be used while stationary, standing or sitting.

While current back braces provide support, they do not strengthen or tone the core and may consequently weaken the core muscles. This can also cause an inconvenience of medical care for the user. As can be seen, there is a need for a portable versatile device that targets the core and back muscles using resistance mechanisms and movements to strengthen and tone the core and to prevent, reduce or eliminate back pain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an exercise garment comprises a vest having a right front portion, a left front portion, a back portion, and right and left shoulder portions; non-stretch straps stitched to the right front portion converging to a first fastener; non-stretch straps stitched to the left front portion converge to a second fastener; and a belt joined to the vest with spaced apart elastic straps. The belt has an elongated body with a first end and a second end; a third fastener operative to adjustably couple the first end and the second end in an overlapping configuration; non-stretch handle straps distributed along the elongated body; and spaced apart elastic straps, each having a first end stitched to the belt and a mating fastener affixed to the second end, the mating fastener being mated to one of the first fastener and the second fastener.

The exercise garment disclosed herein helps to reduce visceral fat, tones and strengthens the core muscles, and reduces back pain. Core muscles of the body can be defined as but not limited to: abdominal muscles, oblique muscles, erector spinae muscles, latissimus dorsi muscle and the pelvic floor muscles. The user dons the exercise garment to do targeted movements of trunk flexion and extension, oblique and lateral flexion and extension to tone and strengthen their core muscles. The device is conveniently portable so the user can exercise while standing or sitting. This versatile vest can be used while at a desk in the office, at home on the couch, in the car or even in an airplane. This vest can fit into the user’s schedule anytime and anywhere.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exercise garment according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view thereof, shown in use;

FIG. 3 is a front view thereof, shown installed in a shell garment;

FIG. 4 is a rear view thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a front view thereof, shown in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

As used herein, the term “crunch” refers to a conditioning exercise performed by bending the upper torso at the waist against resistance and straightening the torso. The crunch may be performed in multiple directions such as: forward flexion, backward extension, left and right-side flexion, right and left oblique flexion and extension, as well as left and right trunk rotation. These crunching movements can be performed in a sitting, standing or lying position. “Crunch” may also refer to the act of performing a crunch.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a garment having a system of resistance and non-resistance elements which enable targeted flexion and extension, resistance movements to strengthen and tone a person’s core muscles.

The garment includes non-stretch and stretch materials that enable resistance targeted to abdominal and back muscles. The stretch material is preferably composed of a sturdy elastic material that enables a strong stretch. The non-stretch materials (e.g., ballistic nylon and webbing) cover the front bodice and back area and under/around the arms and enable the arms and shoulders to serve as anchoring points to pull the elastic materials as the user performs the crunch exercise movements, which stretches the elastic materials. Non-stretch handle straps are placed under the elastic materials on the belt. The user holds onto the handle straps while doing the crunch movements to anchor down the belt and counterbalance the elastic stretch force. Also, holding the handle straps allows the user to build strength in their arms.

Various components of the garment have fasteners that may be selected from the group consisting of: zippers, hooks, hook and loop closures, buttons, clips, posts, buckles, stitching, ladder lock sliders, and any combination thereof, without being limited thereto.

A vest-like garment according to an embodiment of the present invention may have a front-opening fastened by a zipper, hooks, Velcro® hook and loop closures, buckle, or buttons. A non-stretch material (e.g., ballistic nylon) wraps around the underarm, back, and front sections and is attached to non-stretch webbing material over the shoulders. The shoulder webbing is attached to adjusters/ladder lock sliders which allow for body fit adjustments of the non-stretch bodice material (e.g., ballistic nylon).

The back non-stretch material (e.g., ballistic nylon) is attached to sturdy elastic materials, which are attached to the belt. As the user does the crunch movements, the targeted elastic materials stretch.

The front non-stretch material (e.g., ballistic nylon) is attached to non-stretch straps (e.g., webbing) that connect to fasteners across the front body. These fasteners are connected to elastic materials, which are attached to the belt. In the front right and left portions of the vest, there are tension adjustment dials with laces. The laces loop through eyelets in their respective front, right and left side webbings above and below the dials. Turning or releasing the dials lengthen or shorten the lengths of the webbings, enabling tension adjustments of 5 to 30 pounds in the elastic materials.

In some embodiments, the vest may have sensors, such as an inertial measurement unit and heart rate sensor, with a central processing unit, power and memory storage, as well as a Bluetooth™ wireless connection enabling a user to sync the garment to a mobile app to track activity.

In some embodiments, resistance bands may be attached on the right and left sides of the vest for lateral extension exercises.

In some embodiments, the exercise garment may be applied to a gym machine or apparatus to create resistance or to apply weight.

In some embodiments, the exercise garment may have a non-vest shape or texture.

To use the exercise garment, the user may put on the vest, wrap and close the belt, buckle the front right webbing across to the left front fastener, and buckle the front left webbing across to the right front fastener. The user may adjust the fitness of the vest by using the shoulder adjusters to lengthen or shorten the vest front and back portions. The user may adjust the resistance of the elastic materials by adjusting the front tension dials. The dial system may include the BOA® Fit System reel-based fasteners. Examples of reel-based tightening mechanisms are shown, for example, in United States Pat. No. 10,888,139 B2to Burns et al., and examples of lacing systems are disclosed in United States Pat. No. 7,591,050 to Hammerslag. The disclosures of both patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

With the vest worn for a trunk flexion movement, the user may crunch forward or do a forward bending of the trunk while using their hands to hold onto the vest rear non-stretch handle straps. The back elastic materials will stretch and give strong resistance to strengthen the rectus abdominis muscles. For a right oblique extension movement, the user may tilt their trunk obliquely backwards towards the left side while using their hands to hold onto the vest front non-stretch handle straps. The front elastic materials will stretch and give strong resistance to strengthen and tone the left side extensor muscles of the trunk of the body.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exercise garment 10 is shown, having a belt 12 fastened to a nylon vest 14 with elastic straps 16. The vest 14 includes a front portion having right and left side portions, a back portion, and right and left shoulder portions. The shoulder portions comprise non-stretch webbing 26 extending from the top front and top back of the vest 14 adjustably fastened with a ladder lock slider 20 at each shoulder. Non-stretch handle straps 30 are embedded in the belt 12 at spaced intervals. In this embodiment, two spaced apart front handle straps 30 and two spaced apart rear handle straps 30 are shown. FIG. 1 further illustrates the front of the garment 10, where the nylon vest 14 has a gap across the center of the chest, a lace that passes through or under a dial adjuster 24 emerges from an upper eyelet or orifice 22A at the front of each shoulder and re-enters a lower eyelet or orifice 22B in non-stretch webbing 26 that crosses the abdomen and is adjusted and/or fastened with small clips or buckles 18. A large clip or buckle 19 adjustably fastens the belt 12 around the user’s hip. An Internet of Things sensor device 28 is embedded in the front right panel of the vest 14. The non-stretch webbing is stitched to each front panel at the lower front of the vest 14. The elastic straps 16 are stitched to a bottom of the vest 14 at spaced intervals across the rear and to the belt 12, both front and rear. The elastic straps 16 contribute to the elastic resistance to the garment 10.

FIGS. 3 through 5 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention including a shell garment 40 within which the exercise garment 10 is installed. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the shell garment has slots 42 formed therein through which the handle straps 30 are accessible. In this embodiment, two spaced apart front handle straps 30 and two spaced apart rear handle straps 30 are shown and the handle straps are threaded through slots in the shell.

The shell garment 40 may have armholes and may be fastened with a central zipper, as shown in FIG. 5 , that extends from a waist portion to a collar portion. FIG. 5 also more clearly illustrates the configurations of the vest 14, the elastic straps 16, and the non-stretch webbing 26. Three spaced apart elastic straps are shown joining the belt 12 to the vest 14. The front right side and the front left side of the vest 14 each have spaced apart protruding portions to which straps of non-stretch webbing 26 are stitched. Two of the non-stretch straps 26 converge to a female buckle component. In some embodiments, the buckle component may be placed midway along a single strap 26 having ends stitched to the vest 14 at two locations. The belt further comprises two elastic straps 16 affixed to a front portion thereof, each having a male buckle component mated to the female buckle components of the non-stretch straps 26, i.e., the female component of the front left side of the vest 14 mates to the male component of the front right side of the belt 12 and the female component of the front right side of the vest 14 mates to the front left side of the belt 12. The front left elastic strap 16 and the front right elastic strap 16 thereby contribute elastic resistance to the garment 10. While male and female buckle portions are shown herein for clarity, the fasteners are not so limited and may be any suitably sturdy connector known in the art.

While not shown, the present disclosure envisions an embodiment in which the non-stretch straps 26 are attached to the vest 14 above the shoulder and below the arm. Furthermore, while not shown, the present disclosure envisions an embodiment in which the non-stretch straps 26 on the top rear of the vest also converge across the wearer’s back, connecting to elastic straps on the rear of the belt 12.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise garment comprising: a vest having a right front portion, a left front portion, a rear portion, and right and left shoulder portions; non-stretch straps affixed to the right front portion converging to a first fastener; non-stretch straps affixed to the left front portion converging to a second fastener; and a belt spaced from and joined to the vest with spaced apart elastic straps, the belt having: an elongated body with a first end and a second end; a third fastener operative to adjustably couple the first end and the second end in an overlapping configuration; and non-stretch handle straps distributed along the elongated body; wherein the spaced apart elastic straps include front spaced apart elastic straps, each having a first strap end affixed to the belt and a second strap end affixed to a mating fastener, the mating fastener being mated to one of the first fastener and the second fastener; and rear spaced apart elastic straps joining a top portion of the belt to a bottom portion of the rear portion of the vest.
 2. The exercise garment of claim 1, wherein the right and left shoulder portions comprise: a top right front non-stretch strap extending from a top of the right front portion; a top right rear non-stretch strap extending from a right side of a top of the rear portion; a top left front non-stretch strap extending from a top of the left front portion; a top left rear non-stretch strap extending from a left side of the top of the rear portion; and a right shoulder fastener adjustably fastening the top left front non-stretch strap to the top left rear non-stretch strap; a left shoulder fastener adjustably fastening the top right front non-stretch strap to the top right rear non-stretch strap.
 3. The exercise garment of claim 1, further comprising: a front right-side tension adjustment dial affixed to the right front portion of the vest, having a right-side lace looping through a first right-side orifice on a top right front non-stretch strap and a second right-side orifice on the right front non-stretch strap; and a front left-side tension adjustment dial affixed to the left front portion of the vest, having a left-side lace looping through a first left-side orifice on a top left front non-stretch strap and a second left-side orifice on the left front non-stretch strap.
 4. The exercise garment of claim 1, wherein the first fastener mates to the mating fastener on a left front of the belt and the second fastener mates to the mating fastener on a right front of the belt.
 5. The exercise garment of claim 1, further comprising: non-stretch straps affixed to a right portion of the rear portion converging to a fourth fastener mated to the mating fastener; and non-stretch straps affixed to a left portion of the rear portion converging to a fifth fastener mated to the mating fastener.
 6. The exercise garment of claim 1, further comprising a wirelessly connected sensor device embedded in the vest.
 7. The exercise garment of claim 1, further comprising a shell garment housing the exercise garment, wherein slots in the shell garment are configured to receive the non-stretch handle straps so that they are accessible from an exterior of the shell garment.
 8. The exercise garment of claim 7, wherein the shell garment has armholes, a waist portion, a collar portion, and a central fastener that extends from the waist portion to the collar portion.
 9. A method of performing resistance exercise, comprising: donning the exercise garment of claim 1, fastening the first fastener to one of the mating fasteners; fastening the second fastener to another one of the mating fasteners; fastening and adjusting the belt; grasping the non-stretch handle straps; and crunching forward, backward, to a side, or diagonally. 